Easy to Root Coleus

These coleus cuttings were very attractive in a bottle type vase filled with water.

After several weeks roots started appearing, and this was about a month after they were cut and put in water.

Once well rooted they were directly planted outdoors and kept moist until they adjusted to the soil and temperature changes.

Coleus is a favorite plant of mine to root in water. There is simply nothing to it other than keeping the container filled with water and allowing the roots to develop. While I did the ones above earlier in the summer, the typical way my mom over wintered coleus is to place the cuttings in water on the window sill and allow them to root. Oftentimes they would remain in the water all winter. Today, we have them readily available to plant in the spring, but as colorful foliage in vases, they are hard to beat inside. Also, good potted plants are hard to find this time of the year, so adding rooting cuttings to ratty looking pots in fall freshens the outdoor planters. So go ahead and cut some of the leggy stems and enjoy them indoors, and maybe even for a few weeks outdoors, too, until frost.

John Floyd has been gardening--and learning about Birmingham area gardening--for more than 30 years. In addition to his day-to-day experience, John has degrees in horticulture from Auburn and Clemson Universities and was Editor-in-Chief of Southern Living.